Executive Director - Virginia Digital Maritime Center

Old Dominion University; Suffolk, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Dominion University seeks an Executive Director to grow the Virginia Digital Maritime Center through applied research, workforce development, and economic growth in Virginia’s maritime sector, especially Hampton Roads. The role emphasizes leadership, fundraising, and strong partnerships with government, industry, and academia.

The Executive Director will mentor a diverse team, secure funding, and align VDMC activities with ODU’s research strategy while expanding national and international

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, or a related field.
• 20+ years of leadership experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Successful collaboration with business, military, government, and education partners.
• Proven mentoring, talent development, and positive work-environment contributions.
• Established network within the maritime funding community (academic, government, military, industry, foundation).
• Proven technical expertise in the maritime sector with practical applications.
• Deep knowledge of national and international maritime landscape.
• Experience in conflict resolution, team development, and promoting leadership qualities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to obtain a US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Continue and accelerate VDMC’s growth as a national and international leader in digital maritime research, workforce development, and economic development.
• Develop and implement strategic goals for VDMC in terms of research vision, growth, funding, and outreach.
• Cultivate domestic and international partnerships with government, industry, and academic stakeholders to expand funded research opportunities.
• Socialize and promote VDMC’s research, and researchers, in various forums, enhancing its reputation as a leader in digital maritime research.
• Champion a culture of research excellence, inclusivity, and collaboration among faculty, staff, and students while mentoring VDMC’s team.
• Oversee operational, financial, and administrative functions to ensure the center’s success and growth.
• Develop and implement goals that align with the broader objectives of ODU’s research strategy.
• Promote economic development activities in the region by cultivating university partnerships with businesses and governmental agencies to exploit maritime‑related technologies for commercial and socially responsible purposes.
• Identify and develop opportunities to commercialize intellectual property deriving from research and development activities.
• Engage university faculty in research development activities related to the maritime sector, leading or coordinating proposals for extramural funding and fostering intramural research collaboratives.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs leadership to design, field, and promote academic and workforce development programs related to digital maritime research.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

DEI commitment

Security clearance readiness

Education

Master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, or related field

Ph.D. in related field or senior executive government/industry experience

Job description

• Staff and Administrative & Professional Faculty Applicants:
• Contact Human Resources at:
  [phone]
  [e-mail]
• Teaching and Research Faculty Applicants:
• Contact Academic Affairs at:
  [e-mail]

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Department

Department DIGITAL SHIPBUILDING

Position Number

Position Number FA748A

Location

Job Summary

Old Dominion University ( ODU ) seeks a visionary leader to grow an internationally recognized center in digital maritime research, workforce development, and economic development. The Virginia Digital Maritime Center ( VDMC ), one of ODU’s applied research centers, seeks an Executive Director with strong leadership and innovation skills in the maritime sector. This position will be directly responsible for VDMC’s mission to support Virginia’s maritime enterprise by leading applied research and cutting‑edge technology development to advance maritime innovation, strengthen the maritime workforce, foster collaborative partnerships, and drive economic growth in Virginia, specifically Hampton Roads. The Executive Director, with VDMC’s Assistant Director and three Pillar Leads (technology insertion, digital analytics and workforce development) will continue to develop effective partnerships with: Naval and commercial maritime stakeholders; ODU’s other applied research centers and main campus academic colleges, schools, and departments; international and national education and training stakeholders, and federal, state, and local agencies. The successful candidate will be experienced in securing or managing funding for maritime projects, team development, and strategic leadership. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to research excellence and a strong record of research funding in a field directly applicable to the maritime sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Continue and accelerate VDMC’s growth as a national and international university leader in digital maritime research, workforce development, and economic development.
• Develop and implement strategic goals for VDMC in terms of research vision, growth, funding, and outreach.
• Cultivate domestic and international partnerships with government, industry, and academic stakeholders to expand funded research opportunities.
• Socialize and promote VDMC’s research, and researchers, in various forums, enhancing its reputation as a leader in digital maritime research.
• Champion a culture of research excellence, inclusivity, and collaboration among faculty, staff, and students while engaging actively in mentorship and professional development of VDMC’s team.
• Oversee operational, financial, and administrative functions to ensure the center’s success and growth.
• Develop and implement goals that align with the broader objectives of ODU’s research strategy.
• Promote economic development activities in the region by cultivating university partnerships with businesses and governmental agencies at all levels to exploit maritime‑related technologies for commercial and socially responsible purposes.
• Identify and develop opportunities to commercialize intellectual property deriving from research and development activities.
• Engage university faculty in a variety of disciplines in research development activities related to the maritime sector, to include leading or coordinating the development and submission of proposals for extramural funding and cultivating intramural research collaboratives.
• Collaborate closely with university Academic Affairs leadership (Provost, Vice Provost, deans, and chairs) to design, field, and promote academic and workforce development programs related to digital maritime research.

VDMC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who contribute to our mission of advancing research and innovation.

Position Type

Position Type FullTime

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment General Public

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, or a related field.
• 20 years of leadership experience advancing to leading large and multidisciplinary teams and engaging diverse stakeholders
• Successful record of collaboration with a variety of organization types, such as business, military, government, and education.
• A record of accomplishment of advocating for subordinates, fostering talent development and management, and contributing positively to a fulfilling work environment.
• Established network within the maritime funding community (e.g., academic, government, military, industry, foundation).
• Proven technical expertise in the maritime sector with practical application of these skills.
• Deep knowledge of the national and international maritime landscape.
• Experience in conflict resolution, team development, and promoting leadership qualities in others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders and fostering collaborative initiatives.
• Strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and research practices.
• Ability to obtain a US security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, or a related field or senior executive government or industry experience.
• Substantial leadership experience in government or maritime industry leadership.
• Demonstrated commitment to research and mentorship, with experience in fostering a supportive and productive research environment.
• Demonstrated success in securing funding and managing complex research projects with a significant external funding history. Demonstrated success in development and management of center‑level grants and research contracts.
• Previous leadership role in a research center or innovation group, academic department, or equivalent setting, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex academic and research environments.

Completion of Statement of Personal Economic Interests is required upon hire.

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 02/04/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Application Review Date

Application Review Date 03/02/2026

Job Close Date

Criminal Background Check

Criminal Background Check The final candidate is required to complete a criminal history check.

Department Information

Equity Statement

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equal employment, educational and social opportunities for all persons, without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information. Individuals from minoritized communities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at [phone].

Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, is Virginia’s forward-focused public doctoral research university with more than 23,000 students, a top R1 research ranking, rigorous academics, an energetic residential community and initiatives that contribute $2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Other Document
• Recommendation/Reference Letter 1
• Recommendation/Reference Letter 2
• Recommendation/Reference Letter 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you currently employed by, or have previously been employed by, Old Dominion University or Eastern Virginia Medical Center?
  • Yes
  • No
• If yes, provide dates of employment.

  (Open Ended Question)

If you have questions: Staff and Administrative & Professional Faculty applicants, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at [phone] or [e-mail]. Teaching and Research Faculty applicants, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at [e-mail].